Kudo quivered at the sound of the creak, as he slowly climbed the steps. "Y'know, it wouldn't kill you to walk faster." Rikuo was behind him waiting impatiently for him to walk faster. "We do have a timed schedule to go by." He looked at Kudo who was just glaring down at him, "Get a move on!" He shoved his hands into Kudos' back, which so he thought had reluctantly made him move up a step, but soon realized that it failed as he fell backwards. Rikuo's eyes widened as he caught hold of Kudo. Wrapping his hands firmly around his waist he scowled at him, "You can't do anything without trying to kill yourself can you?"

"Well maybe if you hadn't pushed me, we wouldn't be in..this...situation..." They looked down at Rikuo's hand. Rikuo blushed loosening his grip.

"Well..you fell so I..uh..Kakei wouldn't be happy with me if I killed you." Kudo grabbed the side railings and pulled himself up. Occasionally, as Kudo walked up the steps, he would look back at Rikuo:

Why did Rikuo blush? Could he l-... Kudo cut himself off as he reached the top of the steps and stared at the chest that just lay there so plainly, right in the middle of the walk. "Uh...Rikuo..is that our box?"

Rikuo walked over to the chest and began to fiddle with the lock for a few seconds until it opened. Dust poured out as he opened it, flowing into his eyes causing him to cough. He stepped back a bit, trying to refrain from coughing, and awaited the dust to cease. "How old is this thing?"

Kudo shrugged, stepping closer to the box. He peered inside, and at the bottom of the chest laid a blue dress, covered in the remaining specks of dust that didn't fly out when it was first opened. Kudo picked up the dress and began to shake it off. "Well...here it is." Hiding his shame, Kudo folded the dress into a small ball and began heading down the steps, when a small envelope fell out. Rikuo picked it up and began to read it out loud:

Thank you for picking up your first required half of the mission. Next as you know is the ship. Remember to enjoy yourselves and if there's anything you want to get off your chests, on that boat would be the time. Especially for you Kudo-kun.

Rikuo looked at Kudo who was blushing, as he stared down at the ground, "J..Just keep reading it." Rikuo shook his head and continued reading:

Confessions must be said before the finding of the letter, and you must NOT open that letter until you are with Saiga and I. Remember to do this job thoroughly and also to have fun. And this may be your only chance to confess the things you need to boys.

Kakei and Saiga

"So..let me get this straight." Rikuo began putting the letter back into the envelope, "They were here..went into the box..and still sent us on this mission. And what confessions do you have, there Kudo?"

"I don't know what your talking about. Come on though. We have to get going." Quickly Kudo headed out the door in deep thought, does Kakei-san know? He looked at Rikuo as he got into the car, He couldn't. Even Rikuo doesn't know..

"Ready?"

"What?" Kudo looked at him, as Rikuo awoke him from his thoughts and into the reality of the real world.

"Are you ready to leave?" Rikuo looked at him awaiting his response.

"Uh..yeah..sure. Whenever you are." And with that they drove off, heading towards part two of their mission, and something that could change them both for life.